Save Article

Turkey Votes for the Strongman

Erdogan benefits from anxiety about Syria’s furies and terrorism.

Nov. 1, 2015 5:24 p.m. ET

Turkey’s democracy received a stay of execution in June when voters alarmed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s efforts to consolidate power deprived his Justice and Development (AKP) party of a majority for the first time in 13 years. On Sunday Turks changed their minds. Credit the proliferating chaos in Syria for this resort to strongman politics.

The AKP regained majority control of the Parliament with some 50% of the popular vote. The result reverses the June result, when Turks rebuked the AKP as they grew alarmed by Mr....